Stocking protector



March 14, 1944.

N. RYAN STOCKING PROTECTOR Filed July 7, 1942 Inventor Patented Mar. 14,1944 1,;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE V I 2,344,415 STOCKINGPROTECTOR Neva Ryan,Chicago, Ill. Application July 7, 1942, Serial No. 450,042

1 Claim.

The invention relates to a stocking protector, and the primary object ofthe invention is to provide an arrangement of this character which whenworn covers the wearers foot and leg to prevent mud or rain from beingsplashed upon any part of the wearer's stocking, the said protectorbeing of light weight waterproof material of transparent or translucentcharacter capable of variation in color to suit difierent costumes.

Other important objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom a reading of the following description taken in connection with theappended drawing, wherein for purposes of illustration a preferredembodiment of the invention is shown.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a general fragmentary side elevational view showing theinvention in place on a wearer.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side perspective view showing the protector inopen position.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken onthe line 3-3 of Figure 2 and looking downwardly in the direction of thearrows.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary enlarged horizontal sectional view takenthrough Figure 2 along the line G4 and looking downwardly in thedirection of the arrows.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral 5 generally designatesthe protector which may be made of Pliofilm, oil silk, or other suitablemoisture-proof fabric or material of light thin type, which will avoidplacing a heavy burden upon the wearer or otherwise incumber the wearerin warm weather. The protector is made from three sheets or pieces ofthe said material, the inboard sheet 6 being larger than the other twosheets and being shaped and contoured at its upper and lower edges andat its forward and rearward edges to follow the contour of the leg andankle and instep of the wearer. The outboard side of the protector iscomposed of the two pieces 'I and 8, respectively, which together form asingle sheet similar in outline to the inner sheet 6. The said sheetsare secured by inwardly overlapping sewed joints at their front and rearedges as indicated by the numerals 9 and I0, so that a smooth junctureresults and a minimum of protrusion obtains.

The adjacent edges of the sheets I and 8 are inwardly overlapped asindicated in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawing, wherein it will be notedthat the various sheets described are of two plies of the mentionedsuitable materials unconnected except at the points of sewing.

The forward edge of the sheet 8, shown in section in Figure 3 of thedrawing, terminates in the inturned portion ll along the inner side ofwhich is secured in superposed relation the edge portions I2 of atubular tape I3 which runs along the upper part of the forward edge ofthe sheet 8 as shown in Figure 2 of the drawing, in which tubularportion vertically spaced female snap members M are mounted withopenings I 5 in one ply of the tubular portion to pass the male membersof th snap fasteners which are generally designated I6 in Figure 4 ofthe drawing.

The rearward edge of the sheet 1 is inturned and sewed as indicated bythe numeral l1 and to the inner side thereof is mounted a hollow tape l8in which are disposed the male fastening elements I6 which projectthrough openings in the outer ply of the tape [8 to engage the femaleelements of the fasteners on the tape I3. A double row of sewing l9connects the marginal portions of the tape l3 and the fold at theforward edge of the sheet 8 as shown in Figure 3 of the draw- ;ing. Twowidely spaced rows 20 of said sewing fasten the tubular tape I8 to theinner side of the fold I! on the rearward edge of the sheet 1.

The described tapes extend substantially the full length of the edges ofthe adjoining sheets 1 and 8, fastening elements being provided atsuitably spaced intervals therealong. The lower end of the tape IS onthe sheet 1 is utilized to strengthen the anchorage of one end of anelas-' tic strap 2| whose opposite end is suitably connected to acorresponding location on the lower edge of the sheet 6. Both the upperedge 22 and the lower edge 23 of the several sheets are inturned anddouble sewed for strength and smoothness.

Due to the light weight and clinging characteristics of the device ofthe invention, and the conformability thereof to the leg of the wearer,no stiffening or other supporting elements are required, despite thefact that the device extends upwardly as shown in Figure 1 of thedrawing, to a considerable distance above the ankle while overhangingthe arch and instep.

Although there is shown and described herein a preferred embodiment ofthe invention, it is to be definitely understood that it is not desiredto limit the application of the invention thereto except as may berequired by the scope of the sub- Joined claim.

ly extending tape secured to the inner side of the sewed fold andextending forwardly of the for- 15 Ward edge of the rear subsection, therearward edge of the front sub-section being inwardly folded, a pair oftubular tapes secured to the fold of the rear sub-section and to thefold of the front sub-section, respectively, to extend along said foldsand overlap on the leg of the wearer, said tapes being provided withinthe same with interlocking male and female snap fasteners, respectively,spaced along the tapes, and said tapes being apertured on one sidethereof opposite the fasteners therein to provide for introducing thefasteners in each tape into the other tape to interlock said fasteners.

NEVA RYAN.

